Day 34 Coos Bay to Fort Bragg, CA

We are getting very tired, homesick and ready to go home. We will stop by tomorrow on our way to Cambria. We really miss our babies (the cats) and need to see them. No cats have been available to hold for nearly 6 weeks. The closest we got was to pet the cat at Barkerville. And while we have seen many wonderful sights and had some great times,  there are unrealized  expectations which are really getting to me, and attempts to pacify everyone  has become very exhausting. So, yes, I want this to be over. 
It was a beautiful morning as we left Coos Bay. No wind, and blue skies. and the anticipation of trees and more trees. A long trip, over 300 miles was on the agenda for today as we headed down highways 101 and 1 to Fort Bragg.

Our first stop was in Gold Beach for coffee. As we were sitting there, lo and behold, John B, from the Northern CA Morgan Club appeared with his friend Barclay, who lives in Gold Beach Oregon.

We continued driving and enjoying the view, with the weather staying comfortable. Eventually we wanted lunch, and in following Garmin for a lunch place, ended up on the scenic road in Trinidad.

Eventually we ended up at McDonalds for lunch- Linda, Phil and I We never saw any other MOAers all day, not what I had hoped for when planning this trip. Continuing down the start of Highway 1 north, there was a very curvy 20 or so miles. The guys loved driving it... my stomach didn't like it at all, in fact I heard that someone at the hotel had to go to the hospital this everning after riding down the road, As there was a Japanese restaurant in town, Philip and I went for sashimi. The Brits went out somewhere in the town and the Americans ate at the hotel restaurant. I am not sure what the Belgians did for dinner. The drivers meeting isn't until 8:30 in the AM,  so we will have a bit more time for sleep. Sorry to dump... but again, I am ready for this to be over.

Day 33- Warrenton to Coos Bay

The morning started out with a few sprinkles of rain- the 10% chance. Eventually the skies cleared up, but a strong breeze remained all day as we headed down the Oregon coast.Our first stop was at the Tillimook cheese factory, where we tasted the cheese, and then tasted the ice cream- 38 flavors. However they didn't have samples of ice cream sitting about.

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Continuing down the coast, we went off 101 S and onto the Cape Drive route, closer to the water.

Our first stop was at the Cape Meares Lighthouse and Octopus tree. (Later Ken told us that he was in the parking lot there and a gentleman came up to him and asked if he knew Henry T (from UK). Of course he did.. he even stayed with him last year. Henry was on several MOA trips. The man was Henry's brother-in-law from Cincinatti on vacation here. Again, a small world. ) 

A steep climb up the hill finished my walking for awhile.

We continued down the road looking at the beautiful ocean views, while being very frustrated with the very bumpy and horrible road. At intervals we headed back to 101 for short distances.

While we had hoped to make it to Mo's in Newport for lunch, Garmin led us to the Pelican Pub and Grill, which was a very excellent lunch. Susan and Richard and Fiona, Paul and Marie Isabelle, and then Manu and Annick all showed up shortly there after.  As we had only traveled 100 miles by 3 PM, we then went back to 101 to hurry to the hotel in Coos Bay, where we arrived about 7 PM.

Most of the team had dinner at the Red Lion Restaurant, but for sentimental reasons (MOA II) as well as  concern about ever getting food at the hotel, we went to the Casino and had a senior prime rib dinner for $11.95. I had slept most of the day in the car, and Philip sacked out as soon as we returned from dinner. While I probably won't catch up on previous blogs before crashing, I think I finished this one.

Day 32- Victoria to Warrenton WA

The  4 AM wakeup call was pretty early, but since we had packed everything but essentials for the morning, we were able to be ready to walk to the Ferry at 0450.   After immigration and customs, the ferry left at 0610 headed to Port Angeles. We had a cup of coffee and a pretty horrible egg mcferry sandwich before landing about 7:30 PM.

After informing Ken that we would be apart from the group today, and being certain that Linda had backup, we left to do some visiting.  First off, we went to visit Elaine's distant cousin, Paul J age 87 who lives in Port Angeles. He is the son of dad's Aunt Blanche and the brother of Don J. He lived in an adorable place on the high bank water with views for ever. He remains healthy, active and spends his time with photography and reading. It has been at least 35 years since Elaine saw Paul when he lived in Pasadena.

Elaine and Paul

View from the deck

After our visit with Paul, we headed on to Sequim where we visited with Philip's highschool friend, Pete, his wife Eileen, and Pete's parents, Olive and George- who were like parents to Philip. Pete and Eileen spent the last 10 years circum navigating the world in their sail boat. Now they are back at work teaching in Arcadia/Pasadena. It was WONDERFUL to see them again.

Eileen and Pete

George and Olive

As these visits took up our morning and early afternoon, we had to hustle down the road to make it to Warrenton, just in time for dinner at the local fish restaurant. Another wonderful day.

DAY 31 Victoria

41 YEARS OF BLISS

Today is our anniversary and another beautiful day in Victoria and no 8 AM drivers meeting. We will make up for it tomorrow as we have to be at the ferry at 0510. Linda surprised us with a very cute anniversary card.

Travel Agent Lisa and Pat eating brunch

The first official event of the day was brunch for all us in a beautiful atrium room in our hotel. We said our official good-bys to Anne, who will be leaving us tomorrow to fly back to Australia, and to Sherry who has had enough of travelling , and wants to be home in the summer for a change. Michael will head for home tomorrow and drop her off, then continue the trip at Fort Bragg, as he doesn’t like Coos Bay.

After brunch, we hopped on the hop on/hop off bus for a tour of Victoria. We didn’t hop off until the end, nor hop on again, but followed the 1 ½ hour route. Although very sunny, it was quite breezy in the top of the bus. We then stopped for a bite at the Empress hotel veranda and toured around the rose garden.

The Europeans went for an seaplane ride, which reportedly was excellent.

We then wandered through the old town, then back to the hotel to pack up our cars. We needed to take them to the ferry terminal this evening, as we have a very early sail tomorrow morning.

After a long walk searching for a closed restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf, we finally had dinner at the hotel dining room and went to bed early for a 4 M wakeup call. It was a glorious day in Victoria- a place to revisit.